Convertible price coin changer for vending machines



United States Patent VENDING MACHINES 17 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 194/10 Int. Cl G07! 11/00 Field of Search l 33/4, 5;

l94/cu, cuv, 2, 10

[56} References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.876,883 3/l959 Baker, Jr.et al 194/10 Primary ExaminerSamuel F. Coleman Atmrney- Schmidt,Johnson, Hovey, Williams & Chase ABSTRACT: Acoin changer for an articlevending machine is capable of establishing the price of articles ateither 15 cents or 20 cents and accepts nickels, dimes and quarters. Atotalizer having two repeating totalization programs is employed tototalize nickel and dime deposits in 5 cents increments, one revolutionthereof comprising a plurality of such increments (such as 12) equal innumber to integer multiples of the three and four increment programs.The need for totalizing quarter deposits is eliminated by programmingthe operation of the change payout mechanism, the latter being directlyactivated by operation of a quarter coin switch when a quarter isdeposited. Two position, ganged price-setting switches facilitatechangeover from one price to the other.

MACHINES In recent years, increases in the price of products such ascanned and bottled beverages have established the need for a coinchanger for vending machines that permits operation at either a I5-centsor a -cents vend price. It is apparent that, both from the standpoint ofthe manufacturer of vending equipment and the user or operator thereof,the cost of updating present equipment must be held to a minimum. Thus,utilization of mechanical structure similar to that already inwidespread use in lO-cents changers is highly desirable and advantageousas compared with retoolingfor production of modified mechanicalstructure especially ada ted. for IS-cents and 20-cents vend prices.

It is, therefore, the primary object of this invention to provide aconvertible price coin changer of relatively uncomplex design which iscapable of setting the price of products of a vending machine at eitherof two levels and which utilizes conventional mechanical componentsfor-single pricechangers without altering the basic mechanical design ofthe changer unit.

As a corollary to the foregoing object, it is an important aim of thepresent invention to provide a changer as aforesaid which eliminates theneed to totalize the deposit of a coin of greater value than the vendprice through the use of programmed operation of the changepayoutmechanism when such coin is deposited, thereby making it possibleto employ a relatively uncomplex electromechanical totalizer for coinsof lesser value which will have a relatively long operating life ascompared with electromechanical totalizers which must respond to thedeposit of coins of all denominations.

The overall coin changing apparatus is broadly designated by the numeral10 in FIG. 1, only the lower portion of apparatus 10 being illustratedsince the upper portion thereof comprises. a conventional coin acceptor11 illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 4. The coin acceptor 11 iscapable of separating authentic coins from spurious discs and sortingcoins by denomination for ultimate gravitation into the lower, changersection of the apparatus 10 illustrated in FIGS. 13. The particularchanger structure illustrated is adapted to handle nickels, dimes andquarters and is similar in construction to the coin-changing equipmentshown and described in Offutt et al.,'U.S. Pat. No. 3,175,670,granted-Mar. 30, I965.

The main housing 12 of apparatus 10 includes a main bottom wall 14integral with a rectangular flange 16 and joined to a centrally located,upright dividing wall 18 that is joined to a horizontal upper wall 20,the latter serving to separate the upper, coin acceptor section ofapparatus 10 from the changer section thereof illustrated in FIGS. 1--3.An upright sidewall Another important object of the invention is toprovide a I totalizer having repeating totalization programs for thedifferent prices, wherein the requirement to count back or reset thetotalizer before a succeeding vend cycle is obviated by the provision ofincrements of totalization in a full revolution of the totalizer equalin number to'integer multiples of the numbers of such increments in thetotalization programs thereof.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide arepeating program totalizer as aforesaid having means preventing thetotalizer from accumulating increments in excess of a selected programin the event that a customer does not have the exact coinage equal tothe article price, whereby to preclude the establishment of credit inthe next succeeding program when the customer is forced to make anexcess deposit and receive change in order to effect a purchase.

Furthermore, it is an important aim of this invention to provide aconvertible price coin changer optionally operable at either of twoprice levels that permits field conversion of existing single pricechangers to update the latter for operation at higher vend pricescommensurate with present marketing requirements.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a fragmentary, rear elevationaI-view of the lower portion ofcoin-changing apparatus embodying the improvements of the presentinvention, the cover plate normally positioned thereover being removedto show the internal construction;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view taken along line 3-3of FIG. I; 1

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of the apparatus showing therelative positions of the coin switches with respect to the various coinpaths;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a chart illustrating the repeating programs of the totalizerand showing the condition of each cam switch of the stepper throughout arevolution thereof; and 7 FIG. 7 is a timing chart illustrating changepayout and portraying the operation of certain switches of the changercircuitry associated with change payout.

electrical circuitry of 22 extends upwardly from bottom wall 14 the fullheight of housing 12, while a relatively short, upright, interior wall24 is integral with and depends from upper wall 20 in spacedrelationship to the right-side margin of housing 12. The interior wall24 extends the full front-to-back dimension of housing 12 throughout amajor portion of the changer section, but terminates in spacedrelationship to bottom wall 14 in the rear compartment 26 'of'housing 12as is clear in FIG. 1. The rear compartment 26 is bounded on the frontby the dividing wall 18 and is normally closed by a cover plate (notshown) which is removed.

A front compartment 28 is thus formed forwardly of dividing wall 18 andis seen in FIG. 2, a nickel and dime switch 30 being mounted adjacentthe upper edge of an upright plate 32 parallel to dividing wall 18 andspaced forwardly therefrom. A quarter vend switch 34 is disposed in there'arcompartment 26 and is mounted on dividing wall 18 just beneath thehorizontal upper wall 20. The bodies of the two coin switches 30 and 34are spaced approximately the same distance from the bottom of housing 12and thus are directly opposite one another on respective sides of thedividing wall 18. g i

A second plate 36 and a third plate 38 of shorter horizontal dimensionare disposed between plate 32 and dividing wall 18 to form channels forpassage of nickels, dimes and quarters from the acceptor 11 to a coincollection box 40 illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 4. The coin box40 is located within the vending machine in disposition to receive coinsgravitating from a chute (not shown) in the base of the changer sectionwhich directs coins through the bottom wall14. Specifically,

two nickel coin channels 42 are formed between plates 32 and so that thenickels may be directed to a pair of coin storage tubes 48 and 50 in thefront compartment 28. A portion of each of the tubes 48 and 50 isvisible in BIG. 1 through a pairof openings 52 in dividing wall 18, thetubes 48 and 50 being hidden from view in FIG. 2. 1

The nickel and dime coin switch 30 is operated by a swingable actuatingarm 54 having projections 54a and 54b extending rearwardly through plate32 and into respective nickel coin channels 42. The projection 54afurther-extends through plate 36 into the dime coin channel 44. Thequarter vend switch 34 has an actuating arm 56 that projects forwardlythrough dividing wall 18 into the quarter coin channel 46.

A quarter payout switch S8 is mounted on dividing wall 18 in the rearcompartment 26 and is disposed "beneath vend switch 34 and to the leftthereof. The body of payout switch 58 is supported on spacers 60, theswitch 58 being operated by a swingable element in the form of anactuating arm 62 of irregular configuration. The free end of arm 62extends forwardly through dividing wall 18 and into thequarter channel46 at a point along thequarter path beneath actuating arm 56 of vendswitch 34. A quarter first strikes arm 56 and then gravitates therefromonto arm 62, it being understood that the necessary change in thedirection of the quarter coin path hides the tip of arm 62 (engaged bythe quarter within channel 46) from view in FIG. 2. A dirne switch 64 ismounted on dividing wall 13 directly beneath the quarter payout switch58 and is operated by an actuating arm 66 that projects into the dimechannel 44 below the actuating projection 54a of the nickel and dimeswitch 30. The quarter payout switch 58 blocks the dime switch 64 fromview in FIG. 2.

An=oscillatable slide plate (not shown) is disposed beneath the two cointubes 48 and 50 for the purpose of discharging nickel change coins, theslide plate and associated structure being mounted beneath the bottomwall 14 within the base flange 16. The slide plate assembly isillustrated and described in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,175,670, thelatter being incorporated herein by reference as may be required for afull and complete understanding of the manner in which the slide platealternately discharges coins from tubes 48 and 50 through the base ofhousing 12 upon oscillation of the plate.

The slide plate assembly forms a part of a change payout mechanism whichfurther includes an electric motor and gear unit 68 located on the rightside of the interior wall 24 in the rear compartment 26. The payoutmotor 70 of unit 68 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 5. The outputshaft 72 (FIG. 1) of unit 68 mounts an eccentric block 74 which rotateswith shaft 72. A link 76 is pivotally connected to block 74 in eccentricrelationship to the axis of shaft 72, and is also pivotally connected toan upstanding lug 78 that projects upwardly from the slide platedisposed beneath the bottom wall 14, as discussed above. In this manner,rotation of shaft 72 is converted into reciprocal movement for effectingoscillation of the slide plate.

A single-pole, double-throw tube empty switch 80 is mounted on the rearface of dividing wall 18 below the dime switch 64 and is employed tosense the level of coins in the tubes 48 and 50. The switch 80 isprovided with a generally L- shaped actuating arm 82 disposed forengagement by the upstanding segments 84 of a pair of generally Z-shapedcoin feelers 86 rotatably carried on pivot means 88 mounted on wall 18.Counterweights 90 on the feelers 86 bias the coin feeler sections 92thereof toward respective coin tubes 48 and 50. As shown in FIG. I, eachof the tubes 48 and 50 is provided with an upright clearance slot 94therein for the respective feeler section 92. The segments 84 of feelers86 shift the contacts of switch 80 if the level of change coins in tubes48 and 50 falls below a level determined by the height of feelersections 92 with respect to the coin tubes.

Means for rendering the motor and gear unit 68 operative in response tothe deposit of a quarter includes latch structure in the nature of anelongated lever 96 having a main upright section 98 mounted on a pivotpin 100 supported by the wall 18. A laterally extending arm section 102projects from main section 98 and carries a counterweight 104 thereonwhich biases lever 96 in a counterclockwise direction about pin 100. Theupper end of the main section 98 is provided with a laterally projectinglatch segment 106 positioned to engage the projecting, right end portion620 of the actuating arm 62 of the quarter payout switch 58. Theleft-hand margin of latch segment 106 is defined by an arcuate surface108 that normally rests against projecting portion 62a so that, uponswinging of arm 62 from its normal position shown in broken lines to itsoperated position shown in full lines, the projection 62a rides alongsurface 108 until it clears the latch segment I06, whereupon thecounterweight 104 rotates the lever 96 coun terclockwise through a smallangular displacement to the position of lever 96 illustrated in fulllines. Arm 62 is thus latched in its depressed or operated positionsince latch segment 106 moves beneath the projection 62a.

The lever 96 is returned to its normal position by the action of atriple lobe reset cam 110 carried by a cam shaft 112 driven by shaft 72through gears 114. As is clear in FIG. 3, the three lobes of cam 110 arespaced at 120 intervals about the lobes of the reset cam to effectswinging rnovem ent o f I lever 96 in a clockwise direction, the brokenline illustratio'm'l;

of the upper end of main section 98 in FIG 1 showing the position of thelever 96 at thetime of maximum clockwisedis- I placement thereof, i.e.,at the time the extension 1 16 isriding over the outer end of one of thelobes ofcam 1.10

The payout motor 70 of the motor and gear unit 68 employs a carrierswitch 118 that performs the function of cycle control for the motor 70,the switch 118 being schematically illustrated in FIG. 5 and the body orhousing thereof being seen in FIG. 1 behind a second cam 120 carried bycam shaft 112 and disposed beneath the reset cam 110. As may be seen inFIG. 3, cam 120 is of triple lobe configuration with the leading edgesof the lobes being spaced at 120 intervals, the cam 120 being employedto operate the carrier switch 118.

A cam switch 122 utilized for payout programming is illustratedschematically in FIG. Sand the body thereof is seen in FIG. 1 directlyabove and overlying the body of the carrier switch 118. A third cam 124of triple lobe configuration is carried by cam shaft 112 above the resetvcam 110 and is aligned with the actuator button 126 of cam switch l22asis clear in FIG. 3. The three lobes of the cam 124 are also spaced at120 intervals. It is to be understood that. the lowermost cam 120 foroperating the carrier switch 118 is aligned with the actuator buttonthereof, although not visible in FIG. 3, in the same manner asillustrated for the uppermost cam 124 and a's-' sociated switch 122.

In the control circuitry shown in FIG. 5, certain of the switches seenin the views of FIGS. land 2 are illustrated schematically andidentified by their reference numerals. A 5- cents and lO-cents coinreturn electromagnet (CREM) 128 and a 25-cents CREM 130 are shown for.performing coin return functions in the acceptor 11 once a vend cycleis initiated. The CREMS 128 and 130 operate blocking devices and must beenergized in order for coins to gravitate through the acceptor 11 to thechanger section and into the appropriate coin channels 42, 44 or 46. The25-cents CREM 130 also performs the usual correct change only functionwhen the coin tubes 48 and 50 are depleted of change coins, a correctchange only" lamp being illustrated at 132. A lamp 134, when energized,instructs a customer to insert either nickels, dimes or quarters.

Exemplary components for effecting the vending function include a vendmotor 136, a carrier switch 138 for the vend motor 136, and a creditrelay comprising a relay coil 140 and a pair of relay switches 142 and144. It should be understood that the credit relay and other relays tobe subsequently described are all shown with the vending machine instandby.

A pair ofpower terminals 146 and 148 connect the circuitry to a suitablesource of electrical energy, one side of the credit relay coil 140 andthe vend motor 136 being directly connected to terminal 146 by a lead150. A second lead 152 also extends from terminal 146 and is connectedto the coil 154 of a payout relay having a pair of relay switches I56and 158. The lead 152 is further connected to the coil ofa totalizerbroadly denoted 162 and comprising a unidirectional, continual rotationstepper of the nonreset type. The stepper 162 has an armature operatedcam and switch assembly, four switches being employed and designated S1,S2, S3 and S4. The timing of the operating cams therefor will be readilyunderstood from a study of FIG. 6 which will be discussed hereinafter.The stepper 162 also includes an armature actuated switch 172 whichfunctions as a vend switch and operates on energization of the steppercoil 160. At the time of deenergization of the coil 160, the steppervend switch 172 returns to its standby position and the cam switch orswitches 81-84 are operated in accordance with the chart of FIG. 6.Timing is such that the stepper vend switch 172 breaks its normally opencontact on deenergization of coil 160 before the cam switch assembly isindexed. This prevents the production of a false vend command as will beappreciated after the operation of the apparatus is discussed. Thestepper 162 may, for example, be a type GM, manufactured by Potter andBrumfield of Princeton,1nd. e

The price of articles is set by three ganged single-pole switches174,176 and 178 shown in their positions corresponding to a lse'n'tsvend price. Movement of the poles of these switches'174, 176 and 178into engagementwith their normally open contacts sets the vend price at20cents. An inventory switch is shown at 180.

With the apparatus locatedin a vending machine in the usual manner,coins deposited in the machine are routed by a coin chute to the uppersection of the apparatus 10, such upper section comprising the acceptor11 (FIG. 4) as discussed above. After coin validating andsorting, thelegitimate coins exitfrom the acceptor 11 in different coin pathsaccording to denominational value. The nickels travel through thechanger in one ofthe two paths or channels 42 depending upon thelocation of the flipper in the coin acceptor 11. If the coin tubes 48and 50 are full, the nickels are diverted to the coin box 40. As isclearly illustrated in FIG. 4, each nickel actuates the S-cents andlO-cents coin switch 30 during its travel through the changer. Dimesactuate the S-cents and lO-cents coin switch 30 and the lO-cents coinswitch 64 in that order, and then pass to the coin box 40. Quartersactuate the 25- ce nts vend switch 34, the 25-cents payout switch 58,and the lO-cents coin switch'64 in that order and 'then pass to the coinbox 40. It will be seen hereinafter, however, that the quarter actuationof the IO-cents coin switch 64 has no effect on the operation ofthechanger.

Assuming a l5-cents vend price and that a quarter is deposited,actuation of the 25-cents vend switch 34 produces a vend command to thecredit relay in the form of a vend pulse through the momentaryestablishment of the following electrical circuit: From power terminal148 'along a lead 182 to a lead 184, along a connecting lead 186 to thepole of vend switch 34, through the normally open contact of vend switch34 and along a lead 188 to relay coil 140, and thence to power terminal146 via lead 150. A holding circuit for the credit relay is thenestablished by the closure of relay switch 142. The relay switch 144 nowestablishes electrical continuity through its normally open contactwhich is connected to vend motor 136 by a lead 190, the vend motor 136being energized upon return of vend switch 34 to its normal position asthe quarter gravitates from the actuator arm 56. The power circuit thusestablished for the vend motor 136 is as follows: From power terminal148 along leads 182, 184 and 186 to vend switch 34, along a lead 192 tothe stepper vend switch 172, along a lead 194 to the relay switch 144,along lead 190 to vend motor 136, and thence along the lead 150 to powerterminal 146. Once the vend motor 136 commences operation, its carrierswitch 138 is actuated to directly interconnect leads 182 and 190. Thisoperation of the carrier switch 138 also breaks the holding circuit tothe coil 140 of the credit relay,

thereby deenergizing coil 140 to effect dropout of the credit relay. Thevend motor 136 is now exclusively under the control of its carrierswitch 138 which returns to its normal position shown to deenergize vendmotor 136 at the end of the vend cycle.

Returning to the time just after the quarter gravitates from the arm 56of the 25-cents vend switch 34, the quarter then immediately travels tothe arm 62 of the 25-cents payout switch 58 to depress arm 62 to itsoperated position shown in full lines in FIG. 1. The projection 62arides to the top of latch segment 106 and the counterweight 104 swingsthe lever 96 in a counterclockwise direction to move the segment 106beneath the projection 62a and retain the arm' 62 in its operatedposition. This operation of arm 62 causes the contacts of payout switch58 to change from the normal to the operated state thereof, therebyclosing thepole of switch 58 against its normally open contact toestablish the following 'nected to power terminal 148 by a lead 200.

It is to be remembered that the article price in the instant example is15 cents, thus 10 cents in change or two nickels must be paid back tothe customer. This requires that the slide plate of the payout mechanismbe oscillated through one complete cycle (360 of rotation of the outputshaft 72 of the motor and gear unit 68). One complete revolution of theoutput shaft 72 will cause the cam shaft 112 to revolve through anangular displacement 240.

The payout timing chart in FIG. 7'shows the timing of the 25-centspayout switch 58, the payout motor carrier switch 118 and the payoutmotor cam switch 122. Two intervals 202 are also illustrated and depictthe approximate times that nickels are discharged from the slide plateassembly. The total timespan of the chart of FIG. 7 represents 240 ofrotation of the cam shaft 1 12.

In viewing FIGS. 3 and 7, it may be seen that the carrier switch 118(operated by cam 120) will be actuated prior to actuation of the switch122 (by cam 124). Furthermore, the extension 116 of the lever 96 willnot b be engaged by one of the lobes of the cam 110 until nearly 120 ofrotation. When this occurs, the lever 96 is swung in a clockwisedirection as viewed in FIG. 1 to move the latch segment 106 from beneaththe projection 62a, thereby permitting return movement of the arm 62 toits normal position. Manifestly, this returns the contacts of switch 58to the normal state illustrated in FIG. 5. The release of arm 62 woulddeenergize the relay coil 154, except that a holding circuit thereforeis maintained through switches 122, 178, and 156. Althoughthe holdingcircuit was opened by actuation of cam switch 122 as seen in FIG. 7,this occurred prior to the release of arm 62 and the return of the25-cent payout switch 58 to normal. Thus, the payout motor 70 commencesa second 120 of rotation to discharge a second nickel. Operation isterminated at the close of 240of rotation of cam shaft 112 since thebreaking of the holding circuit for the relay coil 154 by the operationof cam switch 122 during the second 120 of rotation is now effective tocause dropout of the payout relay, thereby transferring control of thepayout motor 70 to its carrier switch 118.

It is significant to note that the CREMS 128 and 130 are deenergizedduring change payout by the carrier switch 118 or the relay switch 158,this preventing additional coin deposits at that time. Also, since the25-cent payout switch 58 is actuated and latched prior to the time thatthe quarter momentarily operates the l0-cent coin switch 64, the IO-centswitch 64 is effectively disabled since the circuit thereto through thenormally closed contact of the 25-cent payout switch 58 is interrupted.Furthermore lt is noteworthy. that the tube empty switch 80, shown inthe position thereof corresponding to the presence of sufficient change,would energize the correct I change only lamp 132 and deenergize the25-cent CREM to prevent the deposit of a quarter in the event thatnickels were not available for change payout.

From the foregoing, it may be appreciated that the totalizing stepper162 is not employed when a quarter is deposited. Instead, since thequarter is greater in value than either of the possible vend prices (15cent or 20 cent), a vend command is produced by the 25-cent vend switch34 and the payout mechanism is programmed for operation in accordancewith the selected vend price. To illustrate further, if the 20-cent vendprice is selected by operating the ganged price setting switches 174178to close the poles thereof against their lower contacts, the availableholding circuit through cam switch 122 and relay switch 156 for thepayout relay coil 154 is permanently interrupted. Therefore, at theZO-cent vend price, the relay coil 154 will remain energized only aslong as the 25-cent payout switch 58 remains actuated and latched.Referring to FIG. 7, is may be seen that return of the 25-cent payoutswitch 58 to its normal position occurs just prior to J20 of rotation ofcam shaft 112 and that the payout motor carrier switch 118 is operatedshortly thereafter at the termination of 120 of rotation, therebydeenergizing the payout motor 70 after only one nickel has been paid outto the customer.

Nickel and dime deposits require totalization since either vend price isgreater than the values of the coins. The totalizer stepper 162 has'tworepeating totalization programs, one for each of the two vend prices.The lS-cent program comprises three 5 cent increments of totalization,while the 20-cent program comprises four S-cent totalization increments.The

stepper 162 has a l2--step cycle, i.e., it its cam assembly indexes 12times during each revolution thereof. This is represented by thenumerals 1 through 12 at the top of the chart of FIG. 6. The second rowof numerals comprises four repeating sets of l, 2, 3 and illustrates therepeating three-step or three-increment program for the l5-cent vendprice. The 12 columns of the chart show the condition of each switch S1--S4 at each step, the shaded areas representing closed switches and theblank areas representing open switches.

Assuming that the vend priceis set at 15 cents and the customer has onlynickels to deposit, the first nickel actuates the 5cent and lO-cent coinswitch 30 to establish electrical continuity-to the stepper coil 160along lead 184 and through the 25-cent payout switch 58, the lO-centswitch 64, and the now closed S-cent and lO-cent switch 30 to a lead204. When the S-cent and lO-cent coin switch reopens, the circuit isinterrupted 'to the stepper coil 160 causing the armature to drop outand index the stepper cams and switches to the first increment of thefirst IS-cent program. (It is assumed that, in standby prior to depositof the first nickel, the stepper cam and switch assembly .was at step Iof the l2-step cycle.) Switches 81 and S2 are not involved in nickeloperation, and the stepper 160 is now at step 2 where both switches S3and S4 are still open. 7

The second nickel to be deposited produces the same result as the firstnickel, thereby indexing the cams to the third step or the secondincrement of the program where it will be noted that 83 now closes.Closure of switch S3 upon armature dropout prepares the totalizer forthethird nickel deposit. it should be remembered that the stepper vendswitch 172 is actuated on the pull-in of the stepper armature and,therefore, by each pulse delivered to the stepper coil 160.

When the third nickel is deposited, the 5-cent and l-cent coin switch 30is againactuated to momentarily energize the stepper coil 160. At thistime, however, the armature movement actuates the stepper vend switch172 as usual but the now closed switch 53 causes a vend command to bedelivered to the credit relay coil 140. This circuit is traceable fromleads 184 and 186 to the 25-cent vend switch 34, along lead 192 to thestepper vend switch 172, and through switches 174 and S3 to lead '188and the relay coil 140. When the armature drops out, the cams index tothe third increment of the program and switch S3 reopens. Switch S4 isnow closed but this switch is not functional at the lS-cent vend price.

For nickel-plus-dime operation or dime-plus-nickel operation the actionof the totalizer is essentially the same as when 3 nickels are depositedin succession as discussed above. A difference is in the dime depositand, if inserted first, the dime actuates the -.cent and IO-cent coinswitch 30 prior to actuating the lO-cent coin switch 64. The stepperswitch S2 routes current to the stepper coil 160 from the lO-cent coinswitch .64 except when the stepper is in standby. Thus, with S2 closedthe stepper coil 160 is energized twice by the two pulses produced bythe successive actuation of coin switches 30 and '64.

if a nickel is deposited first, it actuates the S-cent and 10- cent coinswitch 30 as above and the stepper cams index to the first increment ofthe program. When the dime is 'then deposited, the cams index to thesecond increment-where it is seen that $2 remains closed so that thepulse from-the dime coin switch 64 will reach the stepper coil rl60causing production of the vend command on pull-in and indexingto thethird increment of the program on dropout. it is noteworthy at thisjuncture that no homing of the stepper is requiredsince .thethree-increment program repeats itself for-each vend cycle.

For a l5-cent vend price and a 2-dime deposit, indexing-to the first andsecond increments of the program occurs as above when the first dime isdeposited. The seconddime'then actuates the S-cent and IO-cent coinswitch 30 tocause the stepper armature to pull in and thereby producethe vend pulse'via the stepper'vend switch 172 and stepper switch 53.When the S-cent and lO-cent coin switch 30 deactuates, the armaturedrops out as before and steps the cams to the third increment of theprogram which-isthe standby position. However, the second dime thenactuates the lO-cent coin switch 64, but now $2 is open and thus nopulse is delivered to the stepper coil 160. Instead, 81 (not closed)delivers the pulse through switch 176 to lead 196 and the payout relaycoil I54, thereby effecting pull-in of the stepper relay and payout of'l nickel in change. The holding circuitfor the relay coil 154 is underthe exclusive control of the cam switch 1-22; therefore, deenergizationof the payout motor 70is effected by its carrier switch 118 at the endof 120 of rotation of the cam shaft 112.

From the foregoing, it may be appreciated that, at a vend price of 15cents, the stepper 162 will not index but three increments if thecustomer does not have exact change and is forced to deposit 2 dimes.The stepper coil is'prevented from indexing the cams twice in responseto the second dime deposited, this being accomplished by the action ofswitch S2 which opens when three increments'have been accumulated by thetotalizer. f

The totalizer 162 operates similarly when set for the 20 cent vendprice. As set forth above, theprice setting switches I74, 176 and 178have their movable poles inengagement with corresponding lower contactsthereof in the 20-cent price position. Therefore, switch 174 rendersswitch S4 functional and S3 nonfunctional, and the switch 176 routes allpulses from'the coin IO-cent coin switch 64 to the stepper coil 160 anddisconnects 'the'totalizer from the payout relay coilj 54. The totalizer162 now has a four-increment pro gram,which'repeats 3 times during. eachcomplete cycle of 12 .steps, :the standby positions of the totalizernowbeing at steps 1, 5 and-9. It is thus apparent from FIG. 6 that fourpulses from nickels or dimes will be required to produce the vendcommand- Since the stepper totalizer 162 is not operated when quartersare deposited, it is subjected to appreciably less wearand thus has alonger operating life than'would be expected'if quarters were totalizedin addition to nickels and dimes. Furthermore, neither .extra steppingforward nor reverse stepping is required to achieve a home" position,thus further contributing to the life expectancy ofthe stepper unit.

The changer circuitry of the instant invention isj'particularly adaptedfor field conversion of single-price changers of the general type shownand described in the aforesaid'US. Pat. No. 3,l75,670, sincethe'mechanical structure of the-changer of such patent and the changerdisclosed herein is quite similar and identical in essentialcharacteristics. The quarter support member and return escapementtherefore employed in the changer of the aforesaid patent is notutilized. Thestepper 1612 and the payout relay is installed in availablespace in thei upper section of the changer apparatus behind theacceptonstructure along with appropriate wiring and otherminorchanges,such as the addition of the ganged price-setting switches 1,7.4- -l78.The changer section is modified by the installationsof the l0-cent coinswitch 641and the 5.-'cent and lO-cent coin switch 30 plus appropriatechanges in the cams and switches under the control of the payout motor70.

We claim:

1. In an article vending machine,.coin-operated apparatus forcontrolling vending and change-making comprising:

Selectively operable price-setting means having a first operationalcondition establishing the price of articles at a selected amount and asecond operational condition establishing said price at a selected,greater amount;

first coin-sensing means for sensing the deposit of coins of values lessthan either of said prices;

totalizer means coupled with said first sensing means and responsive tosensing of deposits by the latter for totalizing said deposits, 1

said price-setting means being coupled with said totalizer means and,when the price-setting means is in said first operational condition,causing said totalizer means to deliver a vend command if totaleddeposits equal the lesser price or, when the price-setting means is inits second operational condition, causing said totalizer means todeliver said vend command if totaled deposits equal the greater price;

payout mechanism for paying change to a customer upon operation thereof;v

second coin-sensing means coupled with said mechanism and responsive tothe deposit of a coin of a denomination greater than either of saidprices for both delivering a vend command and directly actuating saidmechanism to pay back change; and I said price-setting means beingcoupled with said mechanism and, when the price setting means is in saidfirst operational condition, programming the operation of the mechanismto effect payout of change equal to the dif ference between the value ofsaid coin of greater denomination andsaid lesser price or, when thepricesetting means is in said second operational condition, programmingthe operation of the mechanism to effect payout of change equal tothefdifference between the value of said coin of greater denominationand said greater price. I

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim I, said pri 'e setting means, in saidfirst operational condition, causing said totalizer means to effectactuation of said mechanism to pay back a predetermined amount of changewhen said deposits sensed by the first sensing means exceed said lesserprice. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim l, said second sensing meansincluding:

coin switch means operable by said coin of greater denomination uponsaid deposit thereof;

a said mechanism being electrically'responsive and said switch meansbeing electrically coupled thereto for effecting said actuation thereofto initiate operation of the mechanism upon operation of the-switchmeans by said coin of greater denomination; I

said mechanism having cycle control means for maintaining the mechanismin payout operation until the termination tion to pay back said changeequal to the differencebetween the value of said coin of greater andsaid greater price.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, said totalizer means,

when said price-setting means is in said first operational condition,effecting electrical actuation of said mechanism to pay back apredetermined amount of change when said deposits sensed by the firstsensing means exceed said lesser price.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, said price setting means,

in said first operational condition and upon said actuation ofdenomination the mechanism by said totalizer means, permitting saidcycle control means to cease payout operation of said mechanism at thetermination of said predetermined duration.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said second sensing means including:

bistate coin switch means operable by said coin of greater denominationupon said deposit thereof;

5 said mechanism being electrically responsive and said switch meansbeing electrically coupled thereto for effecting said actuation thereofto initiate operation of the mechanism upon operation of the switchmeans by said coin of greater denomination;

shiftable latch structure operably associated with said switch means forholding the latter in its operated state;

said mechanism having reset means engageable with said structure torelease the switch means for return to its normal state after a periodof mechanism operation, and cycle control means for maintaining themechanism in payout operation until the termination of a predeterminedtime duration of said payout operation; and

said price-setting means, in said firstoperational condition,

causing said mechanism to continue said payout operation aftertermination of said predetermined duration until said change equal tothe difference between the value of said coin of greater denominationand said lesser price is paid out or, in said second operationalcondition, permitting said cycle control means to cease said payoutoperation at the termination of said predetermined duration to pay backsaid change equal to the difference between the value of said coin ofgreater denomination and said greater price.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, said switch means having:

a shiftable a actuating element disposed for engagement by said coin ofgreater denomination upon said deposit thereof for .movement from anormal position to an operated position to actuate the switch means; and

said structure being engageable with said element to latch the latter insaid operated position thereof until actuation of the structure by saidreset means.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said totalizer means hav- 40 ing: I

two repeating totalization programs and effecting the totalization ofdeposits sensed by said first sensing means in increments no greaterthan the lowest denomination of coins received for sensing by said firstsensing means, a

first predetermined number of: said increments corresponding to thelesser price and comprising the first of said programs, a secondpredetermined number of said incrementscorresponding to the greaterprice and comprising the second of said programs;

said totalizer further having an operational cycle comprising aplurality of said increments equal in number to integer multiples ofsaid first and second predetermined numbers of incrementsrespectively;and

said price-setting means, in said first operational condition. effectinga selection of said first program or, in its second operationalcondition, effecting a selection of said second program.

9. in a machine for vending articles of a predetermined 1 price,coin-operated apparatus for controlling vending andchange-makingcomprising: I

payout mechanism for paying .changeto a customer upon operation thereof;

first coin-sensing means for sensing the deposit of coins of values lessthan saidprice;

totalizer means coupled with said mechanism and said first sensing meansand responsive to sensing of deposits by the latter for totalizing saiddeposits and delivering a vend command when totaled deposits equal saidprice, and effecting actuation of said mechanism to pay back change ifdeposits sensed by said first sensing'means exceed said price; and

. second coin-sensing means coupled withsaid mechanism and responsive tothe deposit of a coin of a denomination greater than said price for bothdelivering a vend command and directly actuating said mechanism to payback change equal to the difference between the value of said coin ofgreater denomination and said price.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9:

said mechanism being electrically responsive;

said totalizer means effecting electrical actuation of said mechanism toinitiate operation thereof is deposits sensed by said first sensingmeans exceed said price;

said second sensing means electrically effecting said direct actuationof the mechanism to initiate operation thereof in response to saiddeposit of said coin of greater denomination; and

payout-programming means coupled with said mechanism for continuing saidoperation thereof initiated by either said totalizer means or saidsecond sensing means to cause change equal to the excess of depositssensed by said first sensing means over said price to be paid out whenactuation of the mechanism is effected by said totalizer means, and saidchange equal to the difference between the value of said coin of greaterdenomination and said price to be paid out when the mechanism isdirectly actuated by said second sensing means.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, said second sensing meansincluding bistate:

coin switch means electrically coupled with said mechanism and operableby said coin of greater denomination upon said deposit thereof;

holding means operably associated with said coin switch means formaintaining the latter in its ope rated state;

said mechanism having reset means for actuating said holding means toreturn the coin switch means to its non-nal state; and

said programming means having switching structure operating in apredetermined time sequence with the return of the coin switch means tothe normal state thereof to maintain the mechanism in payout operationfor a longer time than when actuation of the mechanism is effected bythe totalizer means, whereby greater change is paid out in response tothe deposit ofsaid coin of greater denomination than when said coins ofvalues less than said price are deposited and totalized.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 9, said second sensing meansincluding:

a coin switch having a shiftable actuating element disposed forengagement by said coin of greater denomination upon said depositthereof for movement from a normal position to an operated position toactuate said switch;

a said mechanism being electrically responsive and said switch beingelectrically coupled thereto for effecting said direct actuation thereofto initiate operation of the mechanism upon said movement of saidelement to its operated position by engagement of said coin of greaterdenomination therewith;

there being shiftable latch structure engageable with said element forholding the latter in said operated position,

said mechanism having reset means engageable with said structure torelease said element for return movement to its normal position after aperiod of mechanism operation;

said totalizer means effecting electrical actuation of said mechanism toinitiate operation thereofif deposits sensed by said first sensing meansexceed said price; and

payout-programming means coupled with said mechanism for continuing saidoperation thereof to cause change equal to the excess of deposits sensedby said first sensing means over said price to be paid out whenactuation of the mechanism is effected by said totalizer means and saidchange equal to the difference between the value of said coin of greaterdenomination and said price to be paid out when the mechanism isdirectly actuated by said second sensing means.

13, In a machine for vending articles of a predetermined price,coin-operated apparatus for controlling vending and change-makingcomprising:

means for sensing the deposit of coins of a plurality of,

denominations; a totalizer having a repeating totalization program, andbeing coupled with said sensing means and responsive to sensing ofdeposits by the latter for totalizing said deposits in increments nogreater than the lowest coin denomination, a predetermined number ofsaidincrements corresponding to said price and comprisingjsai d program;means coupled with said totalizer and responsive thereto for deliveringa vend command when said deposits at least equal said price; n 7 l vpayout mechanism for paying change to a customer upon operation thereof;

said totalizer having means preventing v e totalizer from accumulatingincrements in excess of said predetermined number thereof when a coinhaving a value greater than a single increment is deposited, whereby toprevent credit from being established on the next program when acustomer does not have exact coinage equal to said price; and

said accumulation-preventing means being coupled with said mechanism foractuating the latter to pay back change when said coin of greater valueis deposited and the total deposits exceed the credit represented bysaid predetermined number of increments.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, said totalizer comprising aunidirectional, continual rotation stepper having a plurality ofincrement-representing steps equal in number to an integer multiple ofsaid predetermined number of increments.

15. In an article-vending machine, coin-operated apparatus forcontrolling the vending of articles comprising:

Selectively operable price-setting means having 'a first operationalcondition establishing the price of articles at a selected amount and asecond operational condition establishing said price at a selected,greater amount; means for sensing the deposit of coins of a plurality ofdenominations;

a totalizer having two repeating totalization programs, and beingcoupled with said sensing means and responsive to sensing of deposits bythe latter for totalizing said deposits in increments no greater thanthe lowest coin denomination, a first predetermined number of saidincrements corresponding to the lesser price and comprising the first ofsaid programs, a second predetermined number of said incrementscorresponding to the greater price and comprising the second ofsaidprograms;

said totalizer further having an operational cycle comprising aplurality of said increments equal in number to integer multiples ofsaid first and second predetermined numbers ofincrements respectively;and

said pricesetting means being coupled with said totalizer and, when theprice-setting means is in said first operational condition, effecting aselection ofsaid first program and conditioning the totalizer fordelivery of a vend command when totaled deposits equal the lesser priceor, when the price-setting means is in its second operational condition,effecting a selection of said second program and conditioning thetotalizer for delivery of said vend command when totaled deposits equalthe greater price.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15:

and payout mechanism for paying change to a customer upon operationthereof;

said totalizer having means preventing the totalizer from accumulatingincrements in excess of said first predetermined number thereof whensaid price-setting means is in said first operational condition and acoin having a value greater than a single increment is deposited,whereby to prevent credit from being established on the next of saidfirst programs when a customer does not have exact coinage equal to saidlesser price; and said accumulation-preventing means being coupled withsaid mechanism for actuating the latter to pay back r 3,550,742 13 14change when said coin of greater value is deposited and prising aunidirectional, continual rotation stepper having a the total depositsexceed the credit represented by said plurality of steps defining saidplurality of increments equal in first predetermined number ofincrements. number to integer multiples of the first and secondpredeter- 17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, said totalizer comminednumbers of increments respectively.

